Low FODMAP support thread 2023

[Sammy900]

Hey folks

Around this time last year after going to the DR's and having blood tests, etc I was diagnosed as having IBS and the DR's advised me to try the low FODMAP diet to try and figure out what my intolerances are. I had given it a proper shot and got to about 8 weeks in, completed the elimination phase which was really tough and was slowly re-introducing foods in that were deemed 'safe'. I could see massive improvements, loads more energy, no puffy swollen face, no rashes, quality sleep, less loose stools, etc

Then I went on holiday and it all went tits up. I just had every food and drink going and then as hard as I tried I couldn't quite ever get back on track.

Every week I say, right back to day 1 Monday and by the end of the week I'm out. This has literally been on-going for nearly a year.

It is hard because it's a very restrictive diet to follow initially, but I've had a really bad few weeks again feeling bloated and ill, no energy at all, I feel like my whole body is retaining fluid as part of an intolerance reaction and it's kicked me into getting seriously back into the mindset of strictly following Low FodMap again.

I'm toying with the idea of getting advice from a dietician, has anyone else tried this?

I've got the Monash University App which I found really helpful.

Anyway I obviously need some support and find if I go a bit nerdy and slightly obsessive initially it helps switch my mindset on, and then ease off on the obsessive searching for information once i'm in the swing of things.

So thought I'd start this space for anyone following the same diet and to share tips and support, low fodmap friendly food suggestions (U.K based if brands) and anything else really.

Looking forward to hearing your journeys, success stories and offering mutual support

I'm just back from a run that was going brilliantly until the frozen pizza I had stupidly had for lunch came back to almost literally bite me in the bum.

I would be really grateful for that oat bread recipe please and the banana and quinoa energy bars.

Any snack ideas are very welcome. I do think just staying away from processed food will help me immeasurably but I am debating giving proper fodmap a whirl. I'm just so intimidated by it. Do you have to cut out dairy?

Yeah the hard core exclusion phase is 'no dairy, no gluten'. Two weeks isn't so bad. Some people aim for 6 weeks.

I did it for a year ... my gut really needed to heal.

@Fatkittythinkitty here is the bread recipe and the website is glutenfreerecipebox.com

@Fatkittythinkitty here is the recipe for energy bars

@RBKB thank you so much

I need to do this. I have known I need to do this. I will look more into it right now.

@Fatkittythinkitty no problem. Use a gluten free setting on your machine. I slice it and freeze it then toast as required as best fresh xx

I use the Rajah Madras curry mix
I use the Massel stock cubes as well

It's good to know there is stuff out there

Oh my gosh, I'm soooo happy I've come across this thread. What we initially thought was food poisoning is now being investigated (9 weeks in, 2 stone down along with my mental health it's horrible) for ibs/ibd (ulcerative colitis and crohn's 🤦🏻‍♀️). I was told about fodmap free diet after ending up in A&E. I've found it mentally draining and I'm genuinely scared to eat. Has anyone found anywhere out to eat in the UK because we're going away to the lakes and right now I will be taking pack lunches. It's so frigging confuzzling. What you think is okay won't be, I messed up with soy.... Bloating, wind that absolutely crippling then 💩 it's horrid. I've found fodmap supermarket for sauces etc but it's sooooooo expensive it's rediculous. Any advice genuinely will be received with open arms.

@GothicornMum I feel your pain! It’s the worst eating out - I tried to avoid it or just got plain steak salad, no dressing, no butter - or a plain chicken salad - it’s only during the elimination phase it’s really tough - once you start introducing stuff back in and they can stay - much easier - if you get the monash FODMAP app it tells you what small quantities you can have 😊

Thank you lovely. I've just downloaded the app now, hope it helps because there is so much contradicting advice it's unreal. Soy is one I found out that I definitely can't tolerate... Found out by accident after it was in a free from item 🙈

I've been told minium 6 weeks, more if need so I feel your pain. Did it help? I'm still struggling with uncomfortable wind, heartburn/acid reflux/ toilet dashes but just not as frequently and I've been super strict 🙈😭 it's absolutely rediculously hard. But, I have realised how much stuff is hidden in food. It's shocking! Eg turkey breast I picked up at soya in. I was like... Why?!?

Just thought I'd share this product. Meant to add onion flavour to foods. Hopefully this will go down well;

https://fodmarket.co.uk/products/freefod-onion-replacer-72g

Also got a powder you put on food that helps digest the fodmaps.

Lastly DH has been diagnosed with SIBO which might be worth looking into as it has the same symptoms. But apparently Gastro specialist said he also has IBS.

@GothicornMum Pizza Express is good for low FODMAP - I have the gluten free dough balls with garlic oil (no bits) instead of butter, GF base margarita minus the cheese (although they do vegan cheese) and with whatever toppings I fancy (the only pizza chain I've found with no onion/garlic in their pizza sauce) or the salad nicoise with no dressing. And their raspberry sorbet is low-FODMAP too!

@zeddybrek Is that the Fodzyme? Have you tried it yet? Was sceptical as it looked as though it only addresses fructan.